By Geoffrey Young
I was born in Saskatoon on October 21,
1985, the third and youngest child of Maureen (Richelhoff) and Jerald Young.
Prior to my birth, my family lived and farmed on land near Kerrobert, SK, which
is my father’s hometown. My mother’s hometown is Major, SK and she became a
teacher. I have an older brother Tyler
(who is married to Odette) and an older sister Natasha (who is married to Shaun
Bzdel). We have a close family, in which our Catholic faith has always been a
priority. As a young child, I was taught to say prayers before bed and meals,
we would go to Mass on Sundays, and I was encouraged as a young child to go to
the Rosary club at my elementary school, St. Bernard. My favourite memories
include playing hockey and spending my summers at Turtle Lake.
Following my Confirmation I became an
altar server at Holy Spirit Parish (Saskatoon) and I continued this up until
the time I decided to enter seminary. From an early age, I always respected
priests – yet I didn’t understand much about the priesthood. I graduated from Holy Cross High School in
2003 and although I didn’t know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I
had always been interested in politics, history, and religion. I studied for two
years at the U of S, working towards a BA in Political Studies, but around this
time I also began reading philosophy and theology, some works by Cardinal
Ratzinger and Pope John Paul II.
Up until that point, I do not remember
explicitly “thinking about being a priest”. In 2005, with the events
surrounding Pope John Paul II’s death, I had an inexpressible conversion. During that year, I began reengaging with my
faith. I remember asking myself “what is it that truly makes me happy in life?”
Looking back now, I can see moments
throughout my early life in which I believe God was calling me subtly to the
priesthood. But this vocation was most directly
inspired by Pope John Paul II. By his witness and faithful priestly life, he
showed the depth of his love for Christ and His bride, the Church. As a 19 year
old young man with talent, ability to do many things, he found himself in a
time of war – a dark time – yet he decided to give his heart totally to Christ,
through the hands of Mary.
One Sunday Mass following
Easter 2005, a Gospel was proclaimed about the call of a disciple, who gave his
possessions to the poor and followed our Lord. Then when going for communion, I
saw the image of one of the Stations
in which Christ is condemned by Pontius Pilate. I felt God was calling me to a
radical conversion from my much divided heart. But I didn’t know what this
meant. After Mass, I don’t know why, I suddenly found myself asking the priest
about the vocation. He said that if I desired to find out more, he would set up
a meeting with Bishop Albert.
I didn’t hear back for
about a month, which at first I thought was probably for the best; because I
hadn’t really thought this out much! Eventually, I met with the Bishop a few
times and over the coming few months, with his support, I discerned that I
could finish my BA in Seminary while also discerning a vocation to the
priesthood.
So I entered seminary, not
knowing with any certainty, but trusting that God would continually guide
me. In my heart, I believed in the words
spoken by Pope Benedict XVI, “Do not be afraid of
Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything.” I simply took it one year at a time, and promised myself not to
make a decision during turmoil but to complete the entire year.
During seminary, I know
that I have matured in many areas; most especially in my spiritual life, my
love of the Sacraments, knowledge of the faith, and for my love for the People
of God. Throughout my future ministry as a priest, I will always centre my life
on Christ – truly present in the Eucharist – and on a true devotion to the
Blessed Virgin Mary. Each year I find myself falling deeper in love with the
Church I am called to serve and the sacred priesthood that is still today a gift from Christ to his beloved. I also find that I am a more joyful and loving
person because I have heard that calling that fulfills my deepest
longings.
My ordination to the
priesthood will be June 10 in Saskatoon. I find it providential that Pope John
Paul II will be beatified May 1, exactly 6 years after I decided to follow his
example of priesthood and enter seminary. I know that he will remain to be a
holy intercessor in heaven for myself and for all the youth of our Church.
Pope John Paul II said repeatedly to
young people: “You are the hope of the Church and of the world. You are my
hope.”
I believe that there are young men
called to be priests in each of our parishes.
It is my prayer that our local Church
will continue to foster a positive environment promoting vocations to the
sacred priesthood. There are amongst us also young those who are called to be
religious brothers and sisters; there also are the future married couples and
families that will transform the Church and the world. I pray that many will
discern their call to all forms of Christian life and love. Such a radical
call is indeed counter-cultural; but it is
life-giving – one of joy, peace, and fulfillment.
Pray for your priests, love them; and
know that God will always remain faithful to his promise spoken through that
young prophet Jeremiah: “I will
give you shepherds, after my own heart.”
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